Report: Dozens of stranded Israeli doctors begin sea evacuation amid airspace closure
Following the closure of Israel's airspace due to the war with Iran, hundreds of medical professionals have found themselves stranded abroad, far from their hospitals and clinics, at a time when the healthcare system needs them most and readiness is at its highest alert level. Dozens of doctors from several hospitals have boarded a merchant ship on a special rescue voyage back to Israel, sources told Ynetnews. Among them are doctors from Sourasky Medical Center, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Sheba Medical Center.
In an assessment held Monday night at the Health Ministry, officials reported ongoing efforts to rescue medical teams stranded abroad. The ministry has completed mapping and received prioritization lists from all institutions: approximately 390 medical personnel have been classified as first priority for return, and about 315 as second priority.
“The Health Ministry is planning some rescue operations, but nothing is guaranteed, so I took this option,” said Prof. Yehuda Ullmann, head of the surgical division at Rambam Health Care Campus, who is currently aboard the ship. About two weeks ago, he traveled with his wife and friends for a vacation in Madagascar. “The war broke out just as we were scheduled to board a flight to Ethiopia and then to Israel. At the airport, they were instructed not to board passengers whose final destination was Israel,” he explained. “I wasn’t willing to stay there even one more moment since it would be very hard to evacuate from there if necessary, so we changed our route to Frankfurt.”
“I head the surgical division, but my specialty is plastic surgery, treating burns and trauma — all very relevant to wartime. I felt terrible not being in Israel; it’s frustrating. As a physician, it feels wrong to be far away, especially given my role. Once it became clear that there was a chance to evacuate by sea, I flew alone to the port where the ship was departing.”
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https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/syrcegjexg
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It was said that in many places people flee war zones; in Israel they struggle to get back